Zeeman

Mathematics Math21a, Fall 2005

Multivariable Calculus

Applet information: Based on an applet of
L. Griebl. Modifications (mostly eyecandy
and change of geometry) by Oliver Knill, 2000. An angle sector visualization
was added in July 2005.

The Zeeman catastrophe machine illustrates that discontinuities can occur naturally
also in completely smooth setups.
The mouse position (x,y) determines the wheel angle z=f(x,y).
The graph to the left shows the potential energy V(x,y,z) depending on
the mouse pointer (x,y) and the angle z. The function z=f(x,y) is determined by
the property that the partial derivative g(x,y,z) = Vz(x,y,z) is zero.
The interpretation is that the wheel angle z settels so that the potential energy is
a local minimum. For fixed (x,y), the function h(z) = g(x,y,z) has
different minima in general as you can see when watching the graph of h in the applet.
The value f(x,y) choses a local minimal energy configuration. But if a local minimum disappears,
the next local minimum can be far away and the angle can jump. Again: while the angle z
is always on the smooth surface g(x,y,z) = 0, the function f(x,y) is discontinuous.
Discontinuities are also called catastrophes.